Summary report on the implementation of the BoA Cycle Network

Summary Report of work completed & next steps prepared June 2012 by WC Highways Planning Team1. Introduction This report provides an overview of the work that has been undertaken recently towards the implementation of the Bradford on Avon Town Cycle Network, and sets out the next steps that are to be undertaken in progressing the network further. 2. Wiltshire Position on 20mph Zone and Limits Alistair Millington (Sustrans) has proposed that 20mph zones in the town would enable cyclists to use a number of routes in the network more safely. The potential to implement any zones in BoA is dependent on the outcome of the trials that are currently being completed by Wiltshire Council. Wiltshire Council made the decision to undertake its own pilot study on 20mph zones and limits. The villages participating in the trial are Westwood, Limpley Stoke, Great Cheverell, Biddestone and Great Bedwyn. These 20mph zones have been implemented on an experimental basis for eighteen months. During this time regular traffic data monitoring will take place. Wiltshire Council intends that the results of the trial sites will form the basis of a policy that may allow the introduction of 20mph zones at other locations around the County. However, no further zones will be introduced until the results have been obtained and analysed. 3. Discussions with Rights of Way Charlotte Sparke (Wiltshire Council) has undertaken discussion with Mike Crook (Rights of Way) about the potential for the re-surfacing of a number of routes in Bradford on Avon to improve the paths and make them suitable for shared use/use by cyclists. Routes that were specifically looked at are; The route alongside the golf course: ROW agrees that surfacing and widening could be completed on this route, and potentially agreement for a shared use path through a conversion order.The route alongside the allotments: ROW agrees that this route could be widened and re-surfaced, and potentially converted to allow use by cyclists. The path from Bridge Street into the Strips: ROW have concerns over the lack of width available to allow use of this route by cyclists. These improvements are dependent on the prioritisation of these routes for funding. However, ROW is now aware of the aspirations of the cycling group and will consider the routes for potential surfacing improvement works this financial year.4. Discussion with ‘Friends of the Strips’ Wiltshire Council Countryside Officer Vicky Roscoe has been in contact with the Transport Planning team about the lack of consultation that was undertaken with both the ‘Countryside Team’ and ‘Friends of the Strips’ when initially developing the Town Cycle Network. Leo Wirtz (Senior Countryside Officer) suggests that the ‘Friends of the Strips’ would be opposed to any formal paths through the area. However, he suggests that early consultation and involvement of the group may persuade the group to support a scheme for the future. 5. Cycle Signing Strategy Charlotte Sparke (Wiltshire Council) completed a draft signing strategy for the entire BoA Town Cycle Network in January 2012. Initial meetings with Wiltshire’s Signing Engineers to review this work suggest that full implementation of the signing strategy cannot be undertaken until all the routes that have been proposed to sign can legally be used by cyclists [e.g. footpath conversion required etc..] Therefore signing will have to be implemented gradually; once short sections of the network have been fully implemented as and when funds become available. For example the route prioritised by the Cycle Group from Moulton Drive to Fitzmaurice School via Palairet is relatively low cost, and if funding was allocated to implement the route, singing could be provided along this short section of continuous route. The Town Management Committee would like to provide some funding towards funding some cycle signing in the town. The bullet points below outline the various costs of signing for the cycle network. Signing Costs: · Supply and erect single sided sign up to 0.25m² on existing street furniture: £35.81 · Supply and erect single sided sign up to 0.25m² on steel post: £148.02 (Breakdown: Post: £44.25. Concrete foundation: £67.96. Supply and erection of sign: £35.81) · Supply and erect double sided sign up to 0.25m² on existing street furniture: £93.88 · Supply and erect double sided sign up to 0.25m² on steel post: £206.09 (Breakdown: Post: £44.25. Concrete foundation: £67.96. Supply and erection of sign: £93.88)6. Cost Estimate & Feasibility Assessments Undertaken Wiltshire Council’s Highways Engineers & Sustrans have provided estimated costs and initial feasibility assessments for all the cycle network routes; the results of which are recorded and presented in a separate report. Alistair Millington (Sustrans) has also proposed a list of priorities for the implementation of the routes in the network based on lower cost schemes that have the most beneficial impact for cyclists. The priorities focus on providing links to the Schools, focusing on Fitzmaurice Primary as a starting point. 7. Developer Contributions InvestigatedBaileys Barn: Charlotte Sparke (Wiltshire Council) made enquiries as to the planning applications in BoA by Oakfield Farm Products in close proximity to the proposed cycle route from the British Waterways Car Park to Kennet Gardens. No applications have been made at this time for development on the playing field/recreational area. Kingston Farm: The Wiltshire Core Strategy (WCS) Pre-submission document requests ‘Appropriate public transport, walking and cycling links should be provided to the town centre avoiding the B3107 Holt Road’. Kingston Farm Promoters have suggested amendments to the cycling/pedestrian access strategy for the site in their representation on the draft WCS. Suggestion that the development template should be re-worded to state that; ‘Appropriate public transport, walking and cycling links should be provided to the town centre. This should include provision of a safe pedestrian/cycling route avoiding the B3107 (from the cemetery through to the Springfield/Holt Road junction followed by an upgraded pedestrian link to the town centre). It is likely that Wiltshire Council will support this change, possibly with an additional statement about there being an aspiration for an off-road cycling/walking link from the western end of the site to the town centre (via the hall estate) in the long term. However, this is not something which is decided yet. In either case (whether the change is supported or not) the development would be expected to include a cycling route which avoids the B3017 within the site itself (i.e. from the Cemetery to the Springfield/Holt Road junction).8. Potential Funding through Integrated Transport The Cabinet Member for Transport, Dick Tonge, has now signed off the report for funding this year. The amount of money available for cycling in 2012/13 across the county is approximately £70,000. Over the next few months a decision will be made by Transport Managers as to how to spend this money. It will either be spent on the design of 5 or 6 schemes for implementation the following year or to fully design and build 2 or 3 schemes in the county this financial year. The prioritised route from Moulton Drive to Fitzmaurice School via Palairet has been put forward for consideration for funding by Transport Managers for this financial year. 9. Consultation Processes Discussion The group asked for more information as to the process for consultation once, a cycle scheme was to be taken forward and this is briefly outlined below: 1. Firstly Wiltshire Engineers have to draw up a detailed design of the cycle scheme so that it could be used for consultation purposes. 2. It would be necessary to contact the Town Councillors, and any likely affected neighbours to the scheme. 3. If a TRO or legal order was to be placed, a statutory advert would be placed in the local paper and a period of 6 weeks given for objections, comments etc... 4. Other steps could be undertaken by the local community (public exhibitions, posters etc...) as new routes are implemented. 10. Marketing & Publicity Discussion There is no set Strategy at Wiltshire Council for the marketing and publicity of new cycle routes as Wiltshire Council no longer has a Travelwise Team, who would have formerly been responsible for this type of work. However, a press release alongside new road signage is a good starting point in terms of promotion of the route. If the route links to a school (as the prioritised route to FM School does) Wiltshire Council can also work with the school in promoting the route. Wiltshire Council would probably only produce or provide promotional material such as leaflets if the route implemented was a significant new link,; for smaller links, promotional material is likely to be only on a small scale due to a lack of available funding; this could perhaps be undertaken via a press release or article on the Wiltshire Council website Alistair Millington (Sustrans) is likely to be able to provide some good advice on marketing and publicity. It is also an area of work that the ‘Cycle Development Group’ could take a large amount of responsibility for. 11. Next Steps There are number of next steps to be undertaken in implementing the town network these are largely reliant on financial input. However, below is a list of some potential next steps for the group in working towards developing the network prior to monies coming available: 1. Land negotiations are required for a number of different points in the network; Wiltshire Council/Sustrans to complete this work. 2. A geological survey is to be completed at the land between Bailey’s Barn to Kennet Gardens before a path can be implemented. [The group have mentioned potential for completing this work themselves. If this work takes place it should involve discussion with Wiltshire Highways Engineers to ensure the survey provides the required information to support the implementation of the route] 3. Investigation should be made into potential funding sources for implementing sections of the network [the group are currently awaiting a decision on Integrated Transport funding for the Fitzmaurice School to Moulton Drive Route put forward for consideration for funding this year] 4. The group should assess the priorities set by Sustrans for funding/implementation and clarify their prioritisation so that when money become available they can select schemes for implementation quickly. 5. The group should continue to monitor and assess routes in the town used by cyclists; this will help to inform the prioritisation process and provide evidence to bring works forward. Monitoring will also be helpful once any routes have been implemented. Bradford on Avon Cycle Network Meeting Notes15th May 2012i.) The group agreed the prioritisation of the link from Moulton Drive to Fitzmaurice School via Palairet, as a lower cost scheme for implementation if any funds are made available to them this financial year ACTION: CS to present the potential route to Transport Managers for consideration for this year’s funding for cycling schemes [Complete]ii.) CS has requested that Wiltshire Highways prepare a more detailed cost estimate of the works for the prioritised route, so that it can be given full consideration when put forward for potential funding ACTION: CS to chase this work [Complete – still waiting response]iii.) The issues of land ownership negotiations was raised; AM does not have the time to complete any negotiations at the moment. Land negotiations needed at Baileys Barn with Selwood Housing and on the route alongside FM School ACTION: CS to enquire who could complete this workiv.) CS to clarify the consultation process for cycle schemes and what consultation work needs to be completed prior to a scheme being implemented.ACTION: CS to clarify the consultation process (see in summary report above) v.) CS to amend the cycle network map with some minor changes that have been agreed by the group at recent meetings. CS to circulate this map once it is completed.ACTION: CS to complete